Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 2/4/2012

Question
Dear Dr. Norquist,
I am 72 years old and have been diagnosed with invasive ductual carcinoma. I've had two lumpectomies. The last pathology report showed clean margins and no positive nodes.
My oncologist wants me to have radiation. My cancer is on the left side and I'm concerned about heart and/or lung damage from the treatment.
Are there procedures that can be done to reduce or eliminate the chance of harmful side effects?
I do not plan on doing chemo, but will do hormone therapy.
Jean

Answer
Dear Jean, your primary problem is your breast cancer NOT your heart or lungs! So I do recommend that you accept the suggested radiation therapy! Its risks are anyway small (I have myself had radiation therapy for a prostate cancer with a radiation dose quite bigger than that suggested for you and with an organ (my colon-rectum) within the radiation field far more sensitive to radiation (and with quite embarrassing side effects by radiation therapy)). Even so I selected my radiation therapy myself. Has your cancer spread to any lymph nodes? If that is the case I strongly recommend chemotherapy - as well as hormone therapy - too! There are no such procedures really except careful planning, but the risks ARE small in your case!



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